President gives priority to personality and discipline

Rafik Jalaldeen

Personality and discipline should be developed and given priority and acquisition of knowledge would follow, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Nalanda College Annual Prize Giving held yesterday.

"Knowledge without personality and discipline means nothing," he added.

Speaking further the President said, "Nalanda College is a great national treasure which was built with people's money and sweat. The name of 'Nalanda' has entered in the annals of the history of Sri Lanka."

"People in the past were courageous and strong. They sacrificed many things in their life to build this school and make it very successful. "They did not capitulate before the foreign powers.

They were on their feet to build this school and collected money from patriotic citizens.

"One must be a strong person but not weak to be a leader of the country to face any challenges. Therefore, you all should develop your confidence and be courageous to face any challenges."

President Rajapaksa asked the students not to be ashamed to do right things but to be ashamed to do wrong things.

"There are some who are committed to insult others and put barriers on others' successes. "When I was fighting terrorism, some insulted me. They attempted to tarnish the image of the country before the international community.

Likewise, Nalandians faced many difficulties and barriers in their career to build this school. There are instances where people did not wish to rent out their premises for Nalandians.

Now thousands of people are struggling to rent houses near Nalanda College to send their children to this school," President Rajapaksa said.

President Rajapaksa said that there are some who are working hard without expecting credit and some others are not working but looking for credit. "Some others are working only for fame.

The fame will come when one works hard and carries out one's task successfully," he added.

Appreciating the students who have excelled he said that those who did not receive prizes should not be discouraged. They also have a bright future and their role to build the nation is vital.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the newly built Squash Court at Nalanda School and presented the 'Nalanda Keerthi Award' to Ven. Kuppiyawatte Bodhananda Thera.